Anti-malware | IGCSE Information and Communication Technology Preparation - Year 11 PDF Download

Anti-malware

• Protection Against Malicious Software:
  • Anti-Malware, also known as Anti-Virus software, is specifically designed to safeguard devices against viruses, malware, and other malicious software threats.
• Three Main Purposes:
  • Detection: Anti-Malware software scans the system for known patterns and behaviors of malicious software, identifying potential threats.
  • Prevention: It works to prevent malware from infiltrating the system by blocking suspicious files, URLs, or activities that may pose a threat.
  • Removal: If malware is detected, Anti-Malware software removes or quarantines the malicious software to prevent further damage to the system.
• Installation and Operation:
  • Anti-Malware software is installed onto a computer system and operates in the background, continuously monitoring for potential threats without requiring constant user intervention.
  • It regularly updates its virus definition database to stay current with the latest threats and security vulnerabilities, ensuring effective protection against emerging malware threats.

Common Features of Anti-Malware Software

Anti-malware software possesses several key features to protect computer systems from malicious threats:

• Comparing Scanned Files Against a Database: Anti-Malware software compares scanned files against a comprehensive database of known threats, allowing it to identify and quarantine malicious files.
• Real-Time Scanning: It performs real-time scanning of files, processes, and network activity to detect and block malware threats as they occur, providing continuous protection against new and emerging threats.
• Regular Updates: Anti-Malware software regularly updates its virus definition database to ensure it has an up-to-date list of known threats, enhancing its ability to detect and remove malware effectively.
• Quarantine of Infected Files: When malware is detected, Anti-Malware software quarantines infected files, isolating them from the rest of the system to prevent further harm.
• User Verification of Threats: It allows users to review and verify detected threats, distinguishing between legitimate threats and false positives before taking action.
• Scanning External Storage Media: Anti-Malware software scans external storage media such as USB flash drives to prevent the spread of viruses and malware from external sources to the computer system.
• Scanning Downloaded Software: It scans downloaded software and files to ensure they are free from malware, reducing the risk of downloading and installing infected programs.
• Heuristic Checking: Anti-Malware software employs heuristic checking, which identifies potential threats based on behavioral patterns and characteristics rather than solely relying on a database of known viruses. This allows it to detect previously unknown malware and zero-day threats.